Dust separator for railway cars



Nov. 21, 1933. c. G. HAWLEY ,9 7

' DUST SEPARATOR FOR RAILWAY CARS Filed July 28, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet lMae/var;

67142455 H4wzsy Nov. 21, 1933. c. s. HAWLEY 1,935,778

DUST SEPARATOR FOR RAILWAY CARS Filed July 28, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2NOV. 21, 1933. c G HAWLEY 1,935,778

DUST SEPARATOR FOR RAILWAY CARS Filed July 28, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Patented Nov. 21, '1933 UNITED STATES DUST .SEPARATOR FOE RAILWAY CARSCharles Gilbert Hawley, Chicago, Ill., assignor to CentrifixCorporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a

corperation of Ohio Application July 28, 1930. Serial No. 471,333

6 Claims. (Cl. 18390) Railway cars and like moving vehicles that travelat high speeds present peculiar difiiculties in the matter ofmaintaining proper and comfortable conditions within them. Purity of thecontained air is required and the whole volume being small, itsvitiation can only be avoided by constant supplies of fresh air, yet theair cannot be directly admitted from the atmosphere lest dust, rain orsnow also enter. For this reason ordinary funnels set normally againstthe movement of the tram have been replaced by more complicated devicesintended to admit the requisite air and yet prevent the entrance of dustand moisture. Thus far no device of that character has beensatisfactorily successful; and, the tendency is to revert to he oldertype funnels but to place them in reverse relation to'the wind so thatthey shall operate as suction devices. The effect thereof is to lessenthe air pressure within the car as contrasted with the externalatmosphere, and this lessened pressure is relied upon to draw in theneeded fresh'air through such doors, windows and cracks as may be open.The system is negative in character, and as it is not solely upon theground that the reversely posi-' tioned funnel tends to prevent theentrance of smoke from the tops of tunnels through which the train maypass. The present invention is adapted for utilization in the same wayand will be so described; but its positive functions are of greaterinterest and more constant value.

This invention may be regarded as a reversion to the normal or old typefunnel as a collector or receiver of air and by the use whereof inopposition to the velocity pressure of the wind, the car may be filledwith air at a pressure that exceeds the static pressure of the externalatmosphere. A state of higher pressure being produced within the car, itis clear that airwill escape through any cracks or openings therein, anddust, instead of being drawn inward may actually be expelled from thecar. If undefended, the nor mal funnel needed to secure this result,would admit impurities, as well as the air required, and this inventionhas for its further object, and comprises, means for conditioning the'air by dynamically removing the foreign substances from the air that isto pass through the funnel and into the car. 5

This last is based upon the conception that an amplitude of air isavailable in the wind blowing toward the funnel, and that the windapproaches the funnel with energy which is ample'for the cleaning of theair. Next, the. invention is based upon. the use of. that energy and theuse or wastage of a portion of the air received, for the double purposeof centrifugally cleaning or conditionin the air and discharging theseparated matters from the neighborhood of the funnel while an ampleremainder of clarified pressure air enters t. e funnel.

Still frrther objects of the, invention comprise the provision of acombined air intake funnel and antecedent air conditioner, in a unitform adapted to be variously positioned. and used upon the exterior of acar; further, to provide a unit of large air conducting capacity and yetone of small compact organization, ample strength, durability andsafety, and the initial and maintenance cost of which shall be small;and, to provide a unit structure which shall ornament the car instead ofdetracting from the appearance thereof.

Both the foregoing general description and the details of the fixture orapparatus, in its preferred form, will be clearly understood uponreference to the drawings that form part of this specification.

In said drawings, Fig. 1 isa sectionalperspective view of the roofportion of a railway car bearing twoair conditioning and exchangingfixtures, each embodying that form of this invention which best -adaptsit to be positioned upon the side of the car. Fig. 2 is a horizontalsection of the 'car roof and of'the two air conditioning fixtures,

taken from Fig. 1;Fig. 2a is aface view'of the base plate of the fixture;-Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal section of one of the fixtures;-Fig.4

. depicts the bottom thereof, as viewed from beneath;Fig. 5 is alongitudinal and vertical section, substantially on the line5-5 of Fig.3 Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6--6 of Fig, 3;Fig. '7 is asimilar section on the line 7 of Fig. 3-;Fig. Sis an elevation oftheairreceiving end of the fixture as viewed from the line 88 of Fig. 3in the direction of the arrows;-Fig. 9 is an elevation of the oppositeend thereof; and Fig. 10 is a view of the disc member.

The air conditioning fixture of this invention is composed wholly ofmetal, rust proof sheet metal being preferred for the purpose. {Itcomprises twomain elements, plus an associated or auxiliary element to.which the main parts'are fixedly secured. The first of themain'elements' c0m' prises the before-mentioned air funnel, marked 14,and paralleling the side of the car; the other main element comprisesthe air conditioner proper, marked '8. The auxiliary element comprisesthe roof plate, marked 6. The latter is the base or'anchorage by whichthe main elements 14 and 8 are fixedly attached to the side or outersurface of the car roof.

As usual, the roof of the car contains a ventilating space or opening Vsuitably framed (see parts V) between the inner and outer walls 3 and 3of the car structure. The opening V contains the adjustable door orswinging panel 4, by which the inflow and outflow of air may becontrolled. The base plate 6 of this novel fixture is fastened by boltsor rivets 7, and serves to close the outer side of the space V, becominga constituent part of the outer wall 3'. The funnel here takes the formof a pipe elbow, the! free end of which constitutes the mouth 14' of thefunnel, while the base portion 140, through an opening 6b, communicateswtih the space V and the interior of the car.- The conditioner proper 8,is of larger diameter than the funnel l4 and part-way telescopes overthe free end thereof. The conditioner functions to set the air intorapid rotation directly in advance of the mouth of the funnel, and alsofunctions to separate the foreign substances. and discharge them fromthat end of the conditioner which enclosesthe mouth portion of thefunnel. That end of the element contains a circumferential dust-ejectopening 16, and, a larger peripheral eject opening 80, again mentionedherein.

The body of the element 8 is substantially, or in effect, cylindrical,and is of a length substantially equalling its diameter. As bestindicated in Fig. '7, it is preferably composed of two halves havinglapping edges 8x, and the halves are spotwelded or otherwise unitedalong the longitudinal joints thus provided. The outer or forward end ofthe element 8 is formed by a whirl-producing tuyere of the radial bladetype, characterized by acentral disc portion .10 which is of smallerdiameter than the hollow body 8. All the blades 8a are inclined orpitched in the same direction, and they circumferentially surround thedisc 10. The inwardly pitched or tangential tuyere openings 8a thuspresented, all lead to the interior of the body 8. Assuming a flow ofair through this tuyere, it is apparent that the air will take on awhirling motion within the body .8 and thereby the centrifugalseparation of heavier particles is accomplished. The latter whirlinglyadvance upon the inner periphery of the body 8 until arrival at theeject openings 80 and 16; departing from the fixture through thoseopenings along with a considerable proportion of the whirling air.Meantime, a clarified-central portion of the whirling air stream departsthrough the funnel 14 and thus reaches the car. The whirling operationof the air within the body is controlled and rendereduniform by thepresence of an internal conical member or bell 9, the wide end 9 ofwhich is coaxial with the mouth of the funnel and preferably of greaterdiameter. Other functions of this bell will be defined. g

All of the fixtures used upon the car are of the same construction butby preference the fixtures are made in pairs, to accommodate the reversepositioning thereof shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This making of rights andlefts, is brought about by the need of the large eject opening in thebottom of each fixture; also by the preferred use of small openings 19and 20 at the bottom of each funnel or elbow '14 for a purpose to beexplained; and, by the desirability of throwing the ejected dustawayfrom the'side 3' of the car, to avoid the wear of the dust streamthereon. To accomplish this last the blades 8a are pitched oppositely inthe two fixtures of the pair; so that in each case the whirl of the airat the bottom of the member 8 is downward and outward, away from theside of the car.

A fixture which presents its tuyere or whirlprompting end to the wind,that is, in the direction of the movement of the car, first receives theair stream and then clarifies and effects pressure upon,'and finallydischarges clarified air into the car, provided the control damper 4 ofthe latter is open. The companion fixture, because of its reverseposition upon the moving car, effects suction thereon and thus draws thefoul air therefrom; again provided that the respective damper be open.By such use of opposed fixtures, the air within the car may be rapidlyexchanged for fresh air which is under appreciable pressure and is freefrom dust. Perhaps the complete elimination of wind-borne dust is toomuch to claim or expect but at least such seems to be the case; for thedust and moisture excluding performance of the fixture is very perfect.

It will sometimes be throught sufficient to place all fixtures along oneside of the car with their funnels pointing in the same direction; and,the identical fixtures being placed upon the other side of the car, willbe reversed in direction; so that one side of the car may receive allthe fresh air, while the foul air is drawn from the other side of thecar.

Referring again to the detailed drawings, it will be noted that thegenerally circular rather than square member 8 is by preferencepolygonal in cross-section so that it presents successive longitudinalflats or flat faces 8f, each perpendicular to a plane including the axisof the hollow body. The first benefit thereby secured lies in the betterretention of the whirling dust upon the inner periphery of the body 8,the centrifugal separating action upon the whirling dust and waterparticles being definitely repeated as many times as there are flats.Next, the flat formation permits the body 8 to be firmly welded orotherwise fastened tov and against the fiat face of the plate 6, inwhich position it is additionally braced by the two parallel ribs 60which are formed in or upon the plate 6 and which snugly fit respectiveadjoining fiats 8/ of the body 8. Most importantly, the formation of thebody 8 from a succession of fiats 8 permits the ends of those flats tobe shaped as truncated triangles and then to be bent inward, as requiredto form the curved and inclined blades So at one end of the body; andsimilarly,

permits the integral formation of the blades or portions 8b at the otherend of the body. Thus integral portions of the original sheet composing'the body portion 8 are contrived to form the closed ends of the body.

As best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 8, the portions 8a are not only bentinward but are pitched as before described as required to form thecapacious inlet tuyeres or inwardly slanting openings 8a whichconstitute the tuyere proper. The

' inner ends of the triangular parts 8a, being trunspacer 12 whichpasses through them. The rivet being set, the structure, though composedof relatively thin sheet metal" parts, takes on Zenduringrigidityfully'adequate to resist the'w'ind and storm stresses to whichit is subjected ir'r'its exposed positionupon the car.

The before mentioned member 9 is preferably of the bell-like shape; wellshown in Figs.3 and 5, and is secured to the inner disc 11 by the samerivet 12 which binds the two-part rose'ttelO' upon the blades 80. Thatmember 9, with its flaring inner end, serves as a vortex-defeating coneor element that prevents the exit of dust along'the axis of the fixture.In the main, the whirling ac--' tion induced by the presenceof thedescribed tuyere or angularly ported end of the fixture, has theeffectof throwing all of the heavier matters outward and against theinner periphery ofthe body 8, but there is a tendency for straying andlighter substances to approach'the axis of the whirl. Such substancesare caught in the void formed by the rushing of the whirling air pastthe flaring end of the member 9 and being first collected upon the innersurface of said member 9, such stray substances form masses of sumcientWeight to be expelled centrifugally, and thus are gently bentinwardly,as 'well shown in Figs. 3,

4, and 5,'and their inner ends are slightly lapped one upon the other,in the direction of air rotation within the body 8. The lapped ends arepreferably spot welded to' give the structure permanence. Thus, aclosed-end of good appearance is formed upon the fixture and the body 8is provided with an inner endsurface or surfaces which curve gentlyinward and then extend toward the funnel. I 1

Within that curved end and at its bottom is the discharge port or ejectopening 80, before mentioned, and of a size which permits the freedischarge of even large cinders, which may enter the body of thefixture. The inner ends 8d of I, K the blade-like parts 8b form themargin of the opening 16 before mentioned and which is the finer dusteject opening, surrounding the funnel. The capacity of'the tuyeres 8a issuch as to exceed the capacity of the funnel mouth 14', af-

, fording an excess of air to be expelled through the openings 80 and16. Considerable pressure is built up within the body 8 and hence ablast or waste of air is maintained through the circumferential slot oropening 16 as well as through the larger opening 8c. It follows that anyfiner dust which does not at once escape from the inner wall and throughthe opening 80 is successfully ejected through some part of thecircumferential eject opening 16.

Virtually only that portion of the air which has been thus freed fromdust and moisture is presented or moved inward toward the axis of thefixture and passing through the relatively wide space, a, between thefunnel mouth and the central member 9, the clarified air enters themouth ejected from the'funnel through theseopenings 19 and 20, dueto thehigher pressure of the air withinthefunnel than upon its exterior. Thisdetail is of special utility at .times when the damper 4 is closed. Atsuch times and the wind pressure continuing upon the tuyered end of thefixture, air will whirl through the fixture to the extent permitted bythe capacity of the eject openings 8c' and 16. During such periods finedust might accumulate in the elbow, and it is well to provide saidopenings 19 and 20 in order that such dust-may be blown out'in advancevof the baffle or ringfib. That action is ensured by the pressure of theair'then occupying the fixture.

In order that the other function of the plate 6 and the relation of thefunnel thereto may be clearly understood special attention is directedto the beforementioned parallel ribs 6c6c belonging to the plate. Theseribs are nearly as long as the plate and so serve to strengthen the samethat the plate may be made from a thin sheet of metal, saving weight. Asbest shown in Figs. 2a, 3, 4, and 6, the ribs are struck up from theplate and their ends are joined by the rectangular struck-up fiat 6d,which latter is margined by the inclined cross parts or faces 5 and 5.The fiat 6d contains'the hole 6b and forms the beforemen: tioned part6b. 7 The space 6a between the ribs forms the seat whereon the member 8is welded 105 or riveted as before explained. Special attention isdirected to the inclined rib surfaces 2-2, 5, and 5' because they arethe anchor surfaces for the base of the funnel, as about to bedescribed.

By preference the elbow-like funnel '14 is of 110 the sheet metalconstruction detailed in the drawings, and as here shaped is easy ofmanufacture and of good appearance, and is best adapted for stoutattachment to the base plate 6. The body of the funnel comprises asingle shaped part 14a bent to U-form, except in its forward part wherethe sides are curved inward to complete the mouth portion 14. Bypreference the shape of theportion 14a is made to resemble the polygonalform of the member 8, and this polygonal form persists in the mouthportion 14. That formation offers fiat surfaces which are a conveniencein attaching the end plates 14b and 140. Those plates are shaped toclose the ends of the U- shaped section 14a and are provided withinwardly turned tabs 14b and 140 which fit the corresponding fiat partsof the section 14a. They are spot-welded or riveted thereto, affordingdesired. rigidity. Thus formed and shaped, the elbow harmonizes with thebody or conditioner portion 8 and being square at its base it is easy ofattachment to the panel or plate 6. To that end the extended edges 17and 18 of the parts 14a, 14b and 140 are bent outwardly to match thecorresponding inclined faces 2, 5 and 5' of the plate 6. Beingpositioned thereon, they are welded or riveted thereto and thus theraised portion 6d of the plate 6 becomes the base of the funnel.

Reverting to the dust discharge openings or slots 19 and 20 at thebottom of the funnel, it is to be remarked that those openings aresheltered by the bent out portions 15 and 15' of the plates 14b and 140.In other words, they are open for the discharge of dust, but are closedagainst 14.5 the entrance of rain or snow.

When moving forward, the tuyred end of the fixture presents aconsiderable end surface to the wind and due to the velocity pressurethereof upon the inclined surfaces of the tuyere blades 8a,.the airenters thehollow body 8,at velocities which ensure its rapid'rotationtherein. Only a part of the air reaches the car through the funnel, but;the supply thus afforded should prove sufficient. If an increased supplyof air is needed, the same may be secured by means of an extensioncollar upon the intake end of the fixture, such as that which is marked21, appearing in sections upon the end of the fixture shown in Fig. 4.Such an extension is effective in proportion to its cross section, andprevents the oncoming air from glancing off the end of the fixture.

It is to be noted that when the movement of the fixture is reversed indirection, the end surfaces 14b and 8b are presented to the wind and avoid is formed at the tuyred end of the fixture. Thereby the desiredsuction is created upon the funnel. The areas of the openings 8c and 16are restricted and the direct entrance of air therethrough does notmaterially diminish the suction upon the funnel.

It is to be distinctly understood that this invention has capabilitiesof adaptation to and of use upon other vehicles and is not limited torailway cars; nor to this preferred location upon the roofs thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is:-

1. The herein described article of manufacture, comprising in a singlefixture an air intake funnel adapted for attachment to a passenger carin combination with a dust and cinder separator of the fixednon-rotative type having a whirl-promoting air entrance tuyre andforming the avenue of air entrance to said funnel, the end portion ofsaidseparator approaching the sides of said funnel but beingcircumferentially separated therefrom and therewith providing an annularopening for the discharge of air and fine dust immediately adjacent themouth of said funnel and. said end and the bottom side of the separatortogether containing a further opening which permits a primarycentrifugal discharge of heavier particles at a point radially distantfrom said funnel, saidseparator being much greater than said funnel inair reception capacity, thus providing an excess of air and whirlingenergy when the fixture is in traveling motion and said end and sideopenings wasting much air and consequently ensuring the discharge ofseparated cinders and dusts, allowing the discharge of only cleaned airthrough said funnel.

2. Afixture as claimed in claim 1 and characterized by the polygonalshape of the separator.

3. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 and characterized by tuyre bladeswhich are formed by the flat bent extended ends of a polygonal separatorbody portion.

4. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 and characterized by a funnel portionof polygonal crosssection. I

5. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 and characterized by a separator bodyof polygonal crosssection and having its ends formed by bent portions ofits extended sides, the bent portions at one end being openly inclinedto serve as tuyere blades, a hub device serving to lock the inner endsof such blades, and the extended ends at the other end of said bodybeing lapped one upon the other and together forming a central outlet.

6. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 and characterized, by a funnelportion of elbow-like form having a fiat end and sides for attachment toa support and provided with bent out parts which with said support formresidual-dust eject openings.

CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY.

